Recoil operated device for opening and closing a breechblock mechanism



Jan. 27, 1948. v c 2,434,972

RECOIL OPERATED DEVICE FOR'OPENING AND CLOSING A BREECH BLOCK MECHANISM Filed Jan. 31, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet -1 if gvwwwow FREDAMEK Jan. 27, 1948. F. A. VlCK 2,434,972

RECOIL OPERATED DEVICE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING A BREECH BLOCK MECHANISM Filed Jan. 31, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 3$WWYPM FR ED AM :K,

Jan. 27, 1948. v c 2,434,972

RECOIL OPERATED DEVICE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING A BREECH BLOCK MECHANISM Filed Jan. 31, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 g H i s l o) m a; '5 w H I i f F a i k 1/ I l :9 1*? i i I C) \X I 8- l \Q 8 I Is. x u I W i FREDAMEK,

F. A. VlCK 2,434,972

RECOIL OPERATED DEVICE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING A BREEGH BLOCK MECHANISM Jan. 27, 1948.

Jan. 51, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed %/1/. MMMM Jan. 27, 1948. F, A. vlcK r 2,434,972

RECOIL OPERATED DEVICE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING A BREECH BLOCK MECHANISM Filed Jan. 31, 1946 5 Sheet s-Sheet 5 Q h R Q Q -lll ammo/WM FREDAMEK? Patented Jan. 27, 1948 RECOIL OPERATED DEVICE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING A BREECHBLOCK MECH- ANISM Fred A. Vick, Greenbelt, Md., assignor to the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of War Application January 31, 1946, Serial No. 644,647

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 13 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The present invention relates generally to the art of ordnance.

More particularly it relates to a heavy caliber artillery weapon provided with a novel mechanism for actuating the breechblock thereof into open and closed position.

In the development of the ordnance art there has been a noticeable trend toward the utilization of heavier caliber weapons having higher muzzle velocities. One of the problems presented by this trend resides in the fact that such heavier caliber, high velocity guns produce extremely large recoiling forces in firing. When efforts are made to utilize these recoil forces for the performance of useful work in such tasks as the actuation of the breechblock, it then becomes necessary to absorb an extremely high force, which is available for only a very short time, and to apply this force to a heavy structure such as the breechblock. Since the total available force produced by gun recoil is equal to the product of mass times acceleration in accordance with the well known formula, and since the values of acceleration produced at the instant of gun firing are extremely high, it is desirable to interpose some type of buffer mechanism between the direct forces of recoil and the practical and effective utilization of these forces in moving a heavy breechblock. The present invention contemplates such a mechanism.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a heavy caliber gun having a breech actuating mechanism which is responsive to recoil forces of the gun and which transmits these forces at a reduced value of acceleration to the movable breechblock.

It is another object of the invention to provide a breech actuating mechanism incorporating a resilient buffer device therein which is operable to absorb a portion of the-recoil energy of the gun at initial high values of acceleration.

Another object of the invention is to provide a breech actuating device interconnected with a gun extractor mechanism in such a manner that the breechblock will be retained in open position after firing and until a new round of ammunition has been inserted in the chamber.

A further object of the invention resides in a novel arrangement of breech actuating springs in such manner that energy for both opening and closing the breechblock is stored therein by compressing thesprings in the same direction during the period of gun recoil.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the interior arrangement of the breech actuating mechanism wherein a lost motion connection operates to prevent closure of the breechblock prior to the release of the extractor.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a mechanism adapted to transmit forces of a relative high initial order of acceleration from a prime mover to a receiver at a final reduced value of acceleration.

Another object of the invention resides in a novel arrangement of cam and follower devices adapted to transmit recoil forces to the breech operating mechanism.

The above as well as other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from consideration of the following detailed specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof wherein:

Figure 1 is an over-all plan view of a gun embodying my invention, the gun tube being broken for accommodation on the sheet;

Figure 2 is a side elevation view in fragmentary cross section to an enlarged scale of the breech portion of the gun of Figure 1 illustrating the breech actuating. mechanism in position;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the breech portion of the gun, the breech actuating mechanism being shown in cross section and a portion of the breech ring being broken away to illustrate the interior construction;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the breech 1 actuating mechanism as illustrated in Figure 3 but showing the parts in another position;

Figure 5 is a plan view in partial cross section similar to Figure 3 but illustrating the parts of the breech actuating mechanism in still another position;

Figure 6 is a transverse cross sectional view 3 taken along the line 6-15 of Figure 5; a

Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the fixed cam structure;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the cam shown in Figure 7; v

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the cam taken along the line 9--9 in Figure '7;

Figurerlo is a cross sectional view through a portion of the breech taken along the line Ill-l ll of Figure 2; and

Figure 11 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along the line ll-H in Figure 1.

h ut I Referring now particularly to Figure 1 of the drawing there is illustrated an artillery weapon comprising a gun tube Ill slidably mounted in a recoil cradle structure indicated generally by reference numeral II and having a breech structure l2. An operating handle [3 is secured to a splined shaft l4 which in turn is engageable with interior mechanism in the breech structure for moving a sliding breech block in and out of closed position adjacent the chamber opening of the gun tube. There is also illustrated in Figure 1 a breech actuating mechanism or cylinder designated generally by the reference numeral l5 which is adapted to be mounted on the gun tube and breech as by means of brackets I6 and II respectively. A fixed cam I8 is secured to the cradle H in any convenient manner, as for example, by means of the bolts l9. Projecting from the right hand side of the breech actuating mechanism I5 is a piston rod 20 having a cross head structure 2| formed adjacent its end. A closure member 22' is provided for the opposite end of the cylinder l5. The various functions of the parts thus far described will hereinafter become apparent as the description progresses, it being desired in Figure 1 to merely illustrate the relationship of the parts and the manner of mounting the same on the gun.

Referring now particularly to Figure 2 of the drawings the breech portion of the gun is illustrated in right side elevation. A portion of the breech actuating mechanism and cam structure has been broken away in order that the figure may be accommodated on a single sheet of drawing to sufficient scale to illustrate the connection between the breechblock and the splined shaft l4. It will be noted in Figure 2 that the breechblock of the gun selected for the purpose of illustrating the present invention is slidable in a horizontal plane, that is, in the present case the breechblock slides outwardly or towards the observer in Figure 2; the invention is, however, equally applicable to vertically sliding breechblocks or other types. The movable breechblock itself is designated by reference numeral 23 and is provided with the usual T-slot 24 adapted to contain a breech operating crank 25 rigidly secured to the splined shaft [4. The splined shaft [4 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 26 and 21 in the breech of the gun. A trigger 28 extends downwardly from the base of the breech and is adapted to be interiorly connected through a conventional sear mechanism to the gun firing mechanism (not shown). There is also illustrated in Figure 2 a side view of a segmental gear 29 which is secured to the splined shaft l4 for a purpose to be explained hereinafter. A pair of extractors 3|] and 3i are pivotally mounted in pockets formed in the inner wall faces of the breech along which the breechblock slides. The extractors are provided with the usual lugs 32 and 33 which are adapted to engage the base of a round of fixed case ammunition as the latter is inserted into the chamber of the gun and to eject the same as the breech is opened after firing in a conventional manner well known to the art. The extractors 30 and 3| are provided with inner trunnions 3B and outer trunnions 31 only one of which is shown in Figure 2. The inner trunnions 36 are adapted to slide in grooves formed in the sliding faces of the breechblock and the outer trunnions 31 are secured through links 38 to fixed pivots mounted in the breech. A plunger 39 bears against that portion of the link 38 which surrounds the extractor trunnions 31 and is spring pressed by means of a compression spring 40, secured in the breech as by means of a threaded closure 4|, in such manner as to urge the extractors into outward or ejecting position. As will be more apparent from a consideration of the later figures yet to be described, the extractors 30 and 3| have an additional function other than merely ejecting the spent cartridge case and accordingly they have been set forth in some detail.

It will also be noted in Figure 2 that I have provided a bell crank 42 pivotally mounted on a pivot 43 secured to the gun tube itself. A roller 44 is mounted on the lower arm of the bell crank 42 and is adapted in certain positions of the gun during recoil to contact the cam 18. It will also be noted that the cam I8 is provided with an inclined portion 45 and an elevated flat portion 45. As the gun recoils, carrying with it the pivot 43 fixed thereto, the roller 44 engages the bottom portion of the cam l8, rides up the inclined surface 45 and along the top horizontal surface 46. Since the cylinder l5 and its associated structure is likewise secured to the recoiling gun tube the rotary movement imparted to the roller 44 by the cam [8 will be transmitted through the cross head 21 and the piston rod 20 to the interior portions of the breech actuating mechanism contained within the cylinder l5 and yet to be described. The cross head 2| comprises an aperture formed in the end of the rod 20 having a sliding block 41 therein and a pivot pin 48 secures the upper arm of the bell crank 42 to the sliding block 41 in a conventional and well known manner. The position of the bell crank 42 at such time as the roller 44 has been elevated to the top surfaces 46 of the cam I8 is illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 2. At such time it will be understood that the piston rod 20 has been pushed in, or to the left in Figure 2, for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

Referring now particularly to Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings the specific details of the breech actuating mechanism are illustrated showing the same in three different positions which the parts assume during normal operation or firing of the gun. The piston rod 20 has secured thereto interiorly of the cylinder I5 a piston 49 in threaded engagement therewith and locked in place as by means of a locking ring 50. The piston rod 20 is provided with a cylindrical bore forming a hollow tubular chamber 5| within which is slidably received one end of a rod 52. The rod 52 is provided adjacent that end thereof which slides within the piston rod 20 with an elongated slot 53. A fiat elongated pin 54 of oval cross section is secured in the side walls of the piston rod 20 and extends through the slot 53 for limited reciprocation relative thereto. This structure is perhaps best illustrated by reference to Figure 6 of the drawing wherein a cross section has been taken through the pin, slot, and associated structure to show the manner in which the same are assembled. The slot 53, as illustrated in Figure 2, has been closed by means of a filler plug 55 and threaded closure 56 which have been provided as an expedient to obtain relatively easy machining of the slot 53 in fabrication of the same. The opposite end of the rod 52 is provided with a rack 51, the teeth of which engage with similar teeth formed on the segmental gear wheel 29. The rack portion 51 is adapted to slide within the closure member 22 which is suitably cut away to provide entrance room for the meshing teeth of the segmental gear .29. The closure "mauve member 22 is secured to the bracket II as by means of a locking ring 58 and is provided with a threaded portion 59 in engagement with the cylinder l5 and having at its inner end an abutment or shoulder 60. The rod 52 is threaded intermediate its length and is provided with an abutment in the form of a pair of adjustable nuts BI and 52, the position of which may be adjusted along the rod in a well known manner. An outer spring 63 is mounted for compression between the breechward face of the piston 49 and the abutment 68 formed on the inner end of the closure member 22. An inner spring 64 is likewise mounted for compression between a pair of followers 55 and 56, which are slidably mounted on the rod 52 adjacent the abutment 62, and the breechward face of the piston rod 20, respectively. The inner spring 84 operates to open the breechblock and the outer spring 63 operates to close the breechblock in a manner presently to be described.

Referring now particularly to the left hand portion of Figure 3, it will be noted that the operating handle l3, which is provided for manual operation of the breechblock, is locked in inoperative position by means of a releasable latch 61 secured to a catch 68 mounted on the breech. The segmental gear wheel 29 is provided on its upper surface with an abutment G9, the face of which is adapted to be engaged by another abutment 18 formed integrally with the operating handle l3. It will thus be aparent that although motion of the handle [3, in, say, a counterclockwise direction, will, through the abutments 69 and 18, impart a similar counterclockwise rotation to the segmental gear wheel 29, the handle I3 may be moved in a clockwise direction, that is, after initial counterclockwise movement, without imparting correspondin clockwise rotation to the segmental gear wheel 29. Stated another way it will be apparent in Figure 3 that the gear wheel 29 could move in a counterclockwise direction without imparting any similar motion to the operating handle IS, the abutments 69 and Ill merely separating during such rotation. This abutting relationship between the manual operating handle [3 and the breech actuating mechanism has been provided in order that the breechblock may be initially opened by hand to receive a cartridge case and thereafter operate by means of the automatic mechanism while the operating handle I3 is held in inoperative position by means of the latch 6'! and 68. If this were not done, and if the operating handle l3 were rigidly on the segmental gear wheel 29, the handle would be oscillated back and forth in a dangerous fashion during automatic operation of the breechblock.

The extractor mechanism for the gun is also illustrated in the fragmentary broken away portion of the breech at the left of Figure 3. The extractor 3| provided with the cartridge engaging lips or lugs 33 is mounted in the side of the breech for rotation about the pivot 31. The extractor trunnion 36 is adapted to ride in the slot H machined into the side face of the breechblock. The slot H is curved adjacent its top portion as shown in Figure 3 and as the breechblock is retracted, that is, moved downwardly in Figure 3, the slot 'II will be moved bodily downward and the trunnions 36 riding in the slot II will be'cammed to the right oscillating the extractor 3| about the pivot 31. At the conclusion of the opening movement of the breechblock the extractor will occupy the position illustrated in Figure 5. Referring again to Figure 3, it will be noted that the extractor lug 36 is provided with a fiat portion 12 which is adapted to seat upon a shoulder I3 formed adjacent the top of the slot II when the breechblock has been retracted to its fully extended position. This condition of the parts is likewise illustrated in Figure 5 wherein the extractor has been oscillated in a counterclockwise direction from the position which it occupies in Figure 3 and wherein the flat portion 72 of the trunnion has been seated and releasably locked on the shoulder 13. This oscillating move ment of the extractor and locking of the extractor trunnions on the cam groove shoulder is assisted and insured by virtue of the pressure exerted by the spring pressed plunger 39 which bears against the bottom portion of the link 38.

A cocking lever 14 is provided in the breech and extends from the left hand face thereof, or

the top as viewed in Figure 3. This cocking lever is adapted to be connected with the firing mechanism in a well known manner and since the latter forms no part of the present invention the details have not been illustrated herein. It will be appreciated that the dotted line structure illustrated adjacent to the extractor and extractor link in Figure 3, actually constitutes a portion of the breech operating linkage, as illustrated more particularly in Figure 2, and thus lies in a different plane from the extractor structure which is set forth in full lines, and is not connected in any way therewith other than through the breechblock itself. The relationship of the various parts as well as their functions will be brought out in more detail in the description of operation of the device.

Although the specific details of the gun mount or carriage per se form no part of the present invention, a typical installation is disclosed in Figure 11. The gun tube ID has a yoke 15 secured thereto provided at its top portion with a boss 16 to which the bracket I6 is secured as by means of bolts H. The yoke 15 is also provided with side plates 18 secured thereto as by means of bolts 19 and these side plates are provided with bronze backed slides 88. The cradle II is provided at its opposite sides with a pair of rails 8| adapted to reciprocate in the slides as the yoke moves in recoil. The cradle is provided with the usual protective case 82, and a recoil cylinder bracket 83 and recuperator cylinder bracket 84 are indicated schematically in Figure 11. It will also be observed in this figure that the breech operating mechanism I5 as well as the fixed pivot 43 carrying the bell crank 42 and roller 44 are mounted on the recoiling yoke of the gun whereas the cam I8 is secured to the cradle I I which does not move during recoil. v

Figure 10 illustrates a detail of the mechanism interconnecting the sliding breechblock and the splined shaft M. It will be noted that the T-slot 24 is provided with an inclined cam slot 85. A trunnion roller 86 mounted at the end of the operating crank 25 is adapted to ride in the slot 85. It will thus be apparent that as the shaft I4 is rotated, whether manually or by means of the breech actuating mechanism 15, the crank arm 25 will be rotated and this motion in turn will be converted by the cam groove 85 and trunnion roller 85 to sliding motion of the block 23.

The operation of the complete device is as follows:

Assuming the parts to be in the relative positions illustrated in Figure 3 the gun is in battery position ready to be fired with a live round of ammunition in the chamber. The extractor 3! is in its inactive position with the trunnion 35 seated in the straight portion of the guide slot 1 l. The breech block 23 is in closed position and the operating handle i 3 is secured by the latch means 61-68 in operative position. The roller 44 lies to the right of the cam l8 and is in the position indicated by full lines in Figure 2. The piston rod 20 is projecting out of the cylinder l to its maximum extent, the key 54 being seated against the right hand end of the slot 53 and the breech closing spring 63 which operates between the abutment 60 and the breechward face of the piston 49, serving to retain the parts in the position illustrated. At this time the breech opening spring 64 is inoperative due to the fact that it is held in inactive compression between abutment 65 and 66 through key 54 and is thus ineffective to move the rod 52 to the left to open the breech through engagement of the key 54 with the right hand end of the slot 53.

Figure 4 illustrates the condition of the parts of the breech actuating mechanism just after the gun has been fired and the roller 44 has traveled up the inclined portion 45 of the cam l8 moving from point A at the origin of the cam to point B at the beginning of its flat upper surface. At this time the bell crank 42 has been rotated by the cam l8 and roller 44 to the dotted line position of Figure 2. The piston rod 20 has been moved substantially its maximum distance to the left carrying with it the piston 49 and the key 54, the latter now occupying a position practically at the extreme left hand portion of the slot 53. During this movement of the rod 20 and piston 49 into the cylinder l5 both of the springs 63 and 64 will have been compressed and thus will have absorbed a portion of the energy of recoil of the gun. At this time the positionsvof the extractor and breechblock have. not been altered from the respective positions illustrated in Figure 3. The reason for this is that the initial movement of the gun in recoil takes place very rapidly with an extremely high acceleration. Durin this very rapid movement the relatively light operating parts such as the rod 20 and piston 49 can be actuated directly by the motion of the gun itself whereas the relatively heavy breechblock will not be moved due to its high inertia.

Figure 5 illustrates in full lines the relative positions of the parts when the gun reaches its full recoil position. At this time the roller 44 which is still riding on the elevated fiat surface 46 of the cam l8 will have reached approximately the point C on the cam. The piston rod 29 and piston 49 will still be all the way to the left in the cylinder l5 being held there by the bell crank 42 and the engagement of the roller 44 with the upper cam surface 46. The breech closing spring 63 is now fully compressed between the abutment 60 and the breechward face of the piston 49. The breech opening spring 64, however, has now expanded between the follower 66 and the follower 65 pushing the latter and through it the rod 52 into its extreme left hand position. This movement of the rod 52 to the left takes place relatively slowly as compared to the initial rapid movement of the gun in recoil and, as will be seen in Figure 5, has resulted through the engagement of the rack 51 with the gear teeth on the segmental wheel 29 in fully opening the breechblock 23.

During the opening movement of the breechblock 23 the trunnion 36 riding in the groove 1| has been shifted to the right thus producing the desired movement of the extractor to eject the spent cartridge case. The fiat portion 12 of the trunnion 36 is now seated on the upper shoulder 13 of the groove H and is held in this position by the spring pressed plunger 39. The result is that the breech 23 is positively locked in open position and will so remain until such time as the extractor 3| has been moved to disengage the parts 12 and 13, as for example, by the insertion of a fresh round of ammunition into the chamber thus tripping the extractor lug 33.

Since the breechblock 23 i positively held in open position, it follows that the rod 52 is also looked against axial movement by virtue of the lnterengagement of the rack 51 with the gear teeth on the segmental gear wheel 29. Since the rod 52 cannot move, and since the key 54 is seated against the right hand end of the slot 53, it follows that the piston 49 which is secured to the key 54 likewise cannot move to the right under the impetus of the breech closing spring 63. In other words, even when the gun returns to battery so that the cam 18 occupies the relative position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 5, the relative positions of the parts of the breech operating mechanism remain unchanged so long as the extractor 3| remains in looking position.

If a fresh round of ammunition is now inserted into the chamber of the gun tripping the extractor lugs 32--33, the flat portion 12 of the extractor trunnion 36 will be disengaged from the shoulder '13 at the top of the cam groove H so that the breechblock 23 may be slid back into closed position. The energy for closing the breechblock 29 is derived from the outer spring 63, having been stored therein during recoil of the gun. The spring 63 bearing against the rearward or breechward face of the piston 49 tend to move the latter towards the right thus pushing the piston rod 20 out of the cylinder I5. Since the breechblock 23 is now free to move into closed position it follows that the rod 52 is also now free to move to the right, and consequently the pressure of the spring 63 against the piston 49 forces the rod 52 to the right by virtue of the abutting engagement of the key 54 with the right hand end of the slot 53. In other words, the pressure from the spring 63 is exerted against the piston 49, from the piston 49 to the key 54, from the key 54 to the rod 52, and from the rod 52 through the interengagement of the rack 51 and the gear teeth on wheel 29 to the breechblock 23. At the completion of the closing movement of the breechblock the piston 49 will have been pushed all the way to the right by the spring 63 and the position of the parts will again be identical to that illustrated in Figure 3.

Obviously, numerous modifications, deviations and alterations of the specific structure herein disclosed for purposes of illustration will occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An ordnance weapon comprising a carriage having a cam track thereon, a gun tube reciprocably mounted in said carriage for recoil and counterrecoil, a breech ring on said tube including a breechblock slidably mounted therein, extractor means mounted on said breech ring for movement between two positions and operative in a first position to retain said breechblock open. manually operable means for actuating said breechblock including a handle and a splined shaft having a pinion gear thereon, and automatic means responsive to gun recoil for operating said breechblock, said automatic means comprising a cylinder mounted on said breech ring longitudinally thereof for reciprocation therewith, a piston having a longitudinal aperture therein re ciprocable within said cylinder and including a piston rod extending outwardly therefrom in a muzzleward direction, an elongated member extending longitudinally within said cylinder reciprocable with respect thereto and to said piston and including an elongated, closed, slotted portion at one end extending slidably within the aperture in said piston and a rack portion on its other end in engagement with said pinion gear, adjustable abutment means mounted on said member, first spring means mounted for compression between said piston and said abutment means, second spring means mounted for compression between said piston and the breechward end of said cylinder, key means secured to said piston and slidable within said closed slot, and cam follower and lever means operatively interconnecting said piston rod and said cam track for compressing both said springs upon recoil of the gun, said first spring means being operative to open said breechblock during recoil and said second spring means serving to close said breechblock only upon movement of said extractor means out of said first position.

means comprising a cylinder mounted on said breech ring longitudinally thereof for reciprocation therewith, a piston having a longitudinal aperture therein reciprocable within said cylinder "and including a piston rod extending outwardly therefrom in a muzzleward direction, an elongated member extending longitudinally within said cylinder reciprocable with respect thereto and to said piston and including an elongated, closed, slotted portion at one end extending slidably within the aperture in said piston and a rack portion on'its other end in engagement with said pinion gear, adjustable abutment means mounted on said member, first spring means mounted for compression between said piston and said abutment means, second spring means mounted for compression between said piston and the breechward end of said cylinder, key means secured to said piston slidable within said closed slot, and cam follower and lever means operatively interconnecting said piston rod and said cam track for compressing both said springs upon recoil of the gun, said first spring means being operative to open said breechblock during recoil and said second spring means serving to close said breechblock only upon movement of said extractor means out of said first position.

3. An ordnance weapon comprising a carriage having a cam track thereon, a gun tube recipro'cably mounted in said carriage 'for recoil and counterrecoil, a breech ring on said tube including a breechblock slidably mounted therein, ex-

tractor means mounted on said breech ring for movement between two positions and operative in a first position to retain said breechblock open, means for actuating said breechblock including a splined shaft having a pinion gear thereon and automatic means responsive to gun recoil for operating said last named means, said automatic means comprising a cylinder, a piston having a longitudinal aperture therein reciprocable within said cylinder and including a piston rod extending outwardly therefrom, an elongated member extending longitudinally within said cylinder reciprocable with respect thereto and to said piston and including an elongated, closed slotted portion at one end extending slidably within the aperture in said piston and a rack portion on its other end in engagement with said pinion gear, adjustable abutment means 'mounted on said member, first spring means mounted for compression between said piston and said abutment means, second spring means mounted for compression between said piston and the breechward end of said cylinder, key means secured to said piston and slidable within said closed slot, and cam follower and lever means operatively interconnecting said piston rod and said cam track for compressing both said springs upon recoil of the gun, said first spring means being operative to open said breechblock during recoil and said second spring means serving to close said breechblock only upon movement of said extractor means out of said first position.

4. An ordnance Weapon comprising a carriage having a cam track thereon, a gun tube reciprocably mounted in said carriage for recoil and counterrecoil, a breech ring on said tube including a breechblocl; slidably mounted therein, means mounted on said breech ring for retaining said breechblock open, means for actuating said breechblock including a splined shaft having a pinion gear thereon, and automatic means responsive to gun recoil for operating said last named means, said automatic means comprising a cylinder, a piston having a longitudinal aperture therein reciprocable withinsaid cylinder and including a piston rod extending outwardly therefrom, an elongated member extending longitudinally within said cylinder reciprocable with respect thereto and to said piston and including an elongated, closed, slotted portion at one end extending slidably within the aperture in said piston and a rack portion on its other end in engagement with said pinion gear, abutment means mounted on said member, first spring means mounted for compression between said piston and said abutment means, second spring means mounted for compression between said piston and said cylinder, key means secured to said piston and slidable within said closed slot, and means operatively interconnecting said piston rod and said cam track for compressing both said springs upon recoil of the gun, said first spring means being operative to open said breechblock during recoil and said second spring means serving to close said breechblock upon actuation of said retaining means.

5. A gun comprising a mount having cam means thereon, a gun tubeincludin a breech rin reciprocable in said mount, a breechblock slidably mounted in said breech ring, extractor means pivotally mounted on said breech ring for releasably retaining said breechblock in open position, means for actuating said breechblock including a shaft having a segment gear secured thereto and an energy storing device, said device comprising a cylinder, an apertured piston having a piston rod extending outwardly therefrom, a member reciprocably mounted in said cylinder and including an elongated, closed-slotted portion at one end extendingslidably within the aperture in said piston and a rack portion at the other end in engagement with said segment gear, adjustable abutment means mounted on said member, first sprin means mounted for compression between said piston and said abutment means'second spring means mounted for compression between said piston and the breechward end of said cylinder, key means secured to said piston and slidable within said closed slot, and a cam follower operatively interposed between said cam' means and said piston rod for breechblock during recoil of the gun and said second'spring means serving to close said breechblock only upon movement of said extractor means to releasing position.

8. A gun comprising a mount having cam means thereon, a gun tube reciprocable with respect to said mount, movable breech closure I meansfor said gun tube, extractor means for compressing both said springs upon recoil of I the gun, the first spring means being operative to open said breechblock during recoil of the gun and said second spring means serving to close said breechblock only upon movement of said extractor'means to releasing position.

6. 'A gun comprising a mount having cam means thereon, a breech ring reciprocable with respect to said mount, a breechblock slidably mounted in said breech, ring, extractor means on said breech ring for releasably retaining'said breechblock in openposition, means for actuattending outwardly therefrom, a member reciprocably mounted in said cylinder and including a sloted portion extending slidably within the aperture in said piston and a rack portion in engagement withsaid segment gear, adjustable andslidablewithin said closed slot, and a cam' releasably retaining said closure means in open position, means for actuating said closure means including an energy storing device, said device comprising a cylinder, an apertured piston having a piston rod extending outwardly therefrom,

a member reciprocably mounted in said cylinder and including aslotted portion extending slidably within the aperture in said piston and a" second portion in operative engagement with said closure means, abutment means mounted on said member, first spring means mounted for compression between said piston and said abutment means,,second spring means mounted for compression between said piston and an end of said cylinder, key means secured to said piston follower operatively interposed between said cam means and, said piston rod for compressing both said springs upon recoil of the gun, the first spring means being operative 'to'open' said I breechblock during recoil of the gun and said abutment means mounted on said member,first spring means mounted for compression between said piston andsaid abutment means, second spring means mounted for compression between said piston and the breechward end of said cylinder, key mean secured to said piston and slidable Within said closed slot, and a cam follower operatively interposed between said cam means and said piston rod for compressing both said springs upon recoil of the gun, the first spring means being operative to open said breechblock during recoil of the gun and said second spring means serving to close said breechblock only upon movement of said extractor means to releasing position.

7. A gun comprising a mount having cam means thereon, a gun tube reciprocable with respect to said mount, movable breech closure means for said gun tube, extractor means for releasably retaining said closure means in open position, meansfor actuating said closure means including a shaft having a segment gear secured thereto and an energy storing device, said device comprising a cylinder, an apertured piston having a piston rod extending outwardly therefrom, a member reciprocably mounted in said cylinder and including a slotted portion extending slidably within the aperture in said piston and a rack portion in engagement with said segment gear, abutment means mounted on said member, first spring means mounted for compression between said piston and said abutment means, second spring means mounted for compression between said piston and the breechward end of said cylinder, key means secured to said piston and slidable within said closed slot, and a cam follower operatively interposed between Said Cam second spring means serving to close said breech block only upon movement of' said extractor I I means to releasing position.

I '9'. A gun comprising a mount having cam means thereon, a gun tube reciprocable with I I respect to said mount, movable breech closure I means for said gun tube, means for releasably retaining said closure means in open position,

means for actuating said closure means including an energy storing device, said device comprising a cylinder, an apertured piston having a piston rod extending outwardly therefrom, a member reciprocably mounted in said cylinder and including a slotted portion extending slidably within the aperture in said piston and a second portion in operative engagement with said closure means, abutment means mounted on said member, first resilient means interposed between said piston and said abutment means, second resilient means interposed between said piston and an end of said cylinder, key means secured to said piston and slidable within the slotted portion of said member, and mean operatively associated with said cam means and said piston rod and constructed and arranged whereby to energize both said resilient means upon recoil of the gun tube, said first resilient means being operative to open said closure means during recoil of said gun tube and said second resilient means serving to close said closure means only upon movement of said retaining means to releasing position.

10. A gun comprising a mount having cam means thereon, a gun tube reciprocable with respect to said mount, movable breech closure means for said gun tube, means for actuating said closure means including an energy storing device, said device comprising a cylinder, an apertured piston having a piston rod extending outwardly therefrom, a member reciprocably mounted in said cylinder and including a, slotted portion extending slidably within the aperture in said piston and a second portion in operative engagement with said closure means, abutment means mounted on said member, first resilient means interposed between said piston and said abutment means, second resilient means interposed between said piston and an end of said cylinder, key means secured to said piston and slidable within the slotted portion of said member, and means operatively associated with said cam means and said piston rod and constructed and arranged whereby to energize both said resilient means upon recoil of the gun tube, said first resilient means being operative to open said closure means during recoil of said gun tube and said second resilient means serving to close said closure means.

11. A gun comprising a, mount having cam means thereon, a gun tube reciprocable with respect to said mount, movable breech closure means for said gun tube, means for actuating said closure means including an energy storing device, said device comprising a cylinder, a piston having a piston rod extending outwardly therefrom, a member reciprocably mounted in said cylinder and including a portion in operative engagement with said closure means, abutment means mounted on said member, first resilient means interposed between said piston and said abutment means, second resilient means interposed'between said piston and an end of said cylinder, a lost motion mechanism interconnectin said piston and said member, and means operatively associated with said cam means and said piston rod and constructed and arranged whereby to energize both said resilient means upon recoil of the gun tube, said first resilient means being operative to open said closure means during recoil of said gun tube and said second resilient means serving to close said closure means.

12. A mechanism for transmitting forces of a relatively high initial order of acceleration from a prime mover to a receiver movable between at least two limit positions at a final reduced value of acceleration comprising, a housing, a member mounted for movement relative to said housing and adapted to receive energy from the prime mover, an element mounted for movement relative to said housing and to said member and adapted to transmit energy to the receiver, means for releasably retaining the receiver in one of said limit positions, first resilient means interposed between said element and said member, second resilient means interposed between said member and said housing, and a lost-motion device interconnecting said member and said element and constructed and arranged whereby said first resilient means is operative, upon energizing the prime mover, to buff the application of force transmitted by said member to move the receiver into its said one position, and said second resilient means is operative to move the receiver to the other of its said limit positions only upon releasing said retaining means.

13. A mechanism for transmitting forces of a relatively high initial order of acceleration from a prime mover to a receiver movable between at least two limit positions at a final reduced value of acceleration comprising, a housing, a member mounted for movement relative to said housin and adapted to receive energy from the prime mover, an element mounted for movement relative to said housing and to said member and adapted to transmit energy to the receiver, first resilient means interposed between said element and said member, second resilient means interposed between said member and said housing, and a lost-motion device interconnecting said member and said element and constructed and arranged whereby said first resilient means is operative, upon energizing the prime mover, to buff the application of force transmitted by said member to move the receiver into its said one position, and said second resilient means is operative to move the receiver to the other of its said limit positions.

FRED A. VICK.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Lehmann Apr. 4, 1911 Number 

